East Asian Water Treat. Chems Mkt. to Rise

Rapid expansion of municipal wastewater treatment, power generation and other major industries consuming water and wastewater treatment chemicals will boost East Asian sales of treatment chemicals to $8.3 billion

Rapid expansion of municipal wastewater treatment, power generation and other major industries consuming water and wastewater treatment chemicals will boost East Asian sales of treatment chemicals to $8.3 billion in 2015, according to a report by McIlvaine Company.

In East Asia in 2015, McIlvaine predicts power will account for 25 percent of the chemicals purchased. Municipal wastewater treatment will account for 21 percent. Growth in mining, steel and refining will also add to the totals. Corrosion inhibitors will be the leading product with 21 percent of East Asian sales. Meanwhile, the combination of inorganic and organic flocculants and polymers will account for 25 percent of the East Asian market.

Beyond 2015, East Asia is predicted to continue to grow at a more rapid pace than North America and Europe. China is continuing to build coal-fired power plants and to connect more of its citizens to sewage systems. Other countries in BRIC (Brazil, Russia and India) will rapidly increase consumption of treatment chemicals.

These revenue forecasts include the service component. For companies such as Nalco and GE, service is included in the chemical pricing. Much of the revenue is from tailored mixes of chemicals, which are proprietary to a manufacturer. In 2009, the four leading manufacturers accounted for $6.6 billion in sales. Thousands of smaller companies also participate in the market, according to McIlvaine.